Rail operated circuit controller



RAIL OPERATED CIRCUIT CONTROLLER Original Filed June 16, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 24 f 7. Zi///////l// Q 22 '21 1 mg] 4 1!; Hill. Illl||1 2 7 ll Fig.2

Ho fi-1ifii FQANK H. QICHTEQKESSING Que (M Aug. 23, 1938. F. H. RICHTERKESSING 2,128,164

RAIL OPERATED CIRCUIT CONTROLLER Original Filed June 16, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "III-Inn,

Fig. 3

Fig. 5

FQANK H. Dxcm-EQKEssme Patented Aug. 23, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAIL OPERATED CIRCUIT CONTROLLER Kentucky Continuation of application Serial No. 617,506, June 16, 1932. This application February 28, 1938, Serial No. 193,180

15 Claims.

This application is a continuation of application, Serial Number 617,506, filed by Frank H. Richterkessing on June 16, 1932, and entitled Rail operated circuit controller.

This invention relates to rail operated circuit controllers, sometimes referred to as track instruments.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a reliable and efficient instrument that is operated by the vertical movement of the rail or track, when a car or train is passing thereover.

Another object of this invention is to provide a track instrument that is self-aligning with respect to the track so as to provide proper opera- 151tion thereof irrespective of the position of the track.

A further object of this invention is to provide an instrument embodying a single contact mechanism that is easily and readily set for controlling is. either normally open or normally closed circuits.

A further object of this invention is to provide an instrument having a separable housing and a removable cover, whereby removing the cover provides for usual inspection and maintenance, while separating the housing provides for the complete removal of all operating parts, thereby providing for replacement of the operating mechanisms Without disturbing the predetermined relation of the instrument with respect to the 3,0, track.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an instrument that will automatically adjust itself and thereby compensate for variations in track alignment, as effected by tamping of 5a: ballast, freezing and thawing of ballast, excessive variation in rail deflection, and any other variation in track or rail alignment that may be produced by variations in temperature, or variation in train loads passing thereover.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, with the understanding, however, that the embodiment 45w illustrated is by no means the only embodiment that the invention may assume. Therefore, the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings, other than that falling within. the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the instrument with the cover removed, illustrating the relation of the instrument to a rail or track.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the instrument, 52b, illustrating the method of mounting the instrument on its foundation, and the relation of the foundation and instrument to the rail.

Figure. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 33 of Figure 2; the terminal block 38 being illustrated in full elevation.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the contact mechanism and base, illustrating the relation of the parts when the rail arm is lodged at one end of its travel, while,

Figure 5 is a similar view of the parts shown in Figure 4, illustrating the relation of the parts when the rail arm is lodged at the opposite end of its travel.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout the several figures.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the operating mechanism is illustrated as being entirely carried by a removable end plate l4 that is secured to a support casing l0 through bolts a sealing gasket l6 being provided between the end plate [4 and support casing I 0. Thus, the end plate l4 and support casing l0 combine to form a housing for the instrument. A removable cover l3, shown only in Figure 2, serves to totally enclose the operating mechanism in the housing. It is to be understood that the cover [3 is provided with a suitable gasket to prevent ingress' of water and dirt into the housing. As particularly shown in Figure 3, the longitudinal walls of the support casing H], which project from the removable end plate M, are inclined toward the opposite end of the support casing, to provide thorough accessibility of the contact mechanism parts.

Referring further to Figure 3, it will be observedthat the removable end plate l4 is'pro-" vided with a hub ll projecting outwardly from the housing, and a hub l8, in axial alignment with hub l1, projecting inwardly into the housing. A suitable bearing formed in hubs l1 and 18 receives a main operating shaft I9. At the inner end of shaft I9, a disc 20 is permanently secured thereto, while, at the outer end, an arm 2| is adjustably secured'thereto by means of a bolt 23, illustrated only in Figure 1. The arm 2| is provided with an auxiliary removable clamping strip 22, which is likewise held in place by bolt 23. Thus, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, arm 2| and clamping strip 22, together with clamping bolt 23, provide the sole operating connection between the instrument and rail 24.

A contact mechanism base 25, made of insulating material, is provided with an annular recess freely receiving the disc 20; the operating shaft l 9 freely passing through an aperture in the base located centrally of the said annular recess. A friction disc 26, located within the recess between juxtapositioned faces of disc 20 and base 25, provides a yielding connection between the aforesaid parts.

To provide a constant pressure between the juxtapositioned faces of disc 20 and base 25, a compression spring 21 surrounds the inwardly projecting hub l8, and reacts between base 25 and end plate l4. This constant pressure obviously establishes a uniform friction between the disc 20 and base 25 through the medium of the friction disc 26.

At this time reference is directed to the beveled annular recess 42, which is formed in the outwardly projecting hub l1 concentric with the bearing for shaft l9. A suitable packing material 43 is lodged in the recess 42, and is forced into the recess by the adjacent face of arm 2| by reason of compression spring 21. Thus, the spring 21 in addition to establishing uniform friction between base 25 and disc 20 through the medium of friction disc 26, also provides constant pressure on packing 43 to establish a uniform and dependable seal around shaft I9, thus preventing the ingress of water and dirt at this point.

At the lower end of the contact mechanism base 25, a stop pin 28, rigidly secured to the end plate I4 by means of an insulating post 29, passes through a relatively large hole 25a in the base. Thus, the difference in diameter of the stop pin 28 and hole 25a determines the extent to which base 25 may be rotated about shaft 19.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a vertical movement of rail 24 rotates shaft l9 by reason of the interconnection provided by arm 21 and clamping strip 22. R0- tation of shaft l9 likewise provides rotation of base 25 by reason of the frictional interconnection provided by disc 20 and friction disc 26. However, as hereinbefore pointed out, stop pin 28, engaging diametrically opposed surfaces of the relatively large hole 25a, limits the extent of rotation of base 25 in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.

Therefore, since the rotational movement of base 25 is limited to a predetermined amount, it

will be obvious that downward movement of arm 2|, after the stop pin 28 engages one side of hole 3 250., will cause the frictional interconnection between disc 20 and base 25 to yield, and accommodate the excess movement by permitting the disc 20 to slip on the friction medium 26. Obviously, a similar operation is provided for an upward movement of arm 2! in excess of the corresponding limited movement of base 25 in the reverse direction.

Referring further to Figure 3, it will be observed that the cylindrical stop pin 28 projects beyond base 25 to provide a pivot or fulcrum for the contact lever 3|. A hole 30 in the lower end of lever 3| provides a bearing therefor. A second hole in the lower end of lever 3|, spaced slightly above hole 30, provides a suitable bearing for the drive pin 25b, which is rigidly secured in base 25. As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, hole 30 is made slightly larger than the diameter of stop pin 28. This construction is provided to compensate for the small difference between the centers of pins 25b and 28 that is encountered as the base 25 is rotated from one extreme position to another. On the other hand, it is appar ent that the hole for drive pin 25b could be similarly arranged with a relatively close fit between hole 30 and pin 28 to provide for the same condition without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, it is immaterial whether the lever 3| is regarded as rotating about stop pin 28 or drive pin 25b. Since the stop pin 28 is stationary in the present embodiment, the lever 3| will be regarded as rotating about pin 28 for the purpose of this description.

At the upper end of base 25, a contact pin 32 is rigidly secured thereto. A co-acting contact 33 is carried by a flexible member 34, which is secured to lever 3| by a screw 35 passing between the bearing holes of pins 28 and 25b. It will be observed that screw 35 intersects a portion of pin 25b, and, while not particularly shown in Figures 4 and 5 it is to be understood that the pin 25b is notched at this point so that the screw may pass therethrough. This construction enables screw 35 to retain lever 3| in operating position on pin 25b. In Figure 3 the construction and relation of pin 25b and screw 35 is illustrated in detail.

Particularly observing Figure 5, it will be apparent that contacts 32 and 33 engage before base 25 engages stop pin 28, when the base is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction. Similarly, by observing Figure 4, it will be apparent that contacts 32 and 33 separate before base 25 engages stop 28, when the base is rotated in the clockwise direction. In Figures 4 and 5 the corresponding reverse limit position of base 25 is indicated by dotted lines.

As a means of assuring a definite time of engagement and disengagement of contacts 32 and 33, the lever 3| is provided with an upwardly projecting extension, which engages the flexible member 34 adjacent contact 33. Thus, once the extension is adjusted, as for instance by bending the extension between drive pin 25b and the upper end thereof, a definite relation is established between contacts 32 and 33. It will be further apparent that the extension enables initial tension to be given the flexible member 34, thereby further assuring the definite relation between contacts 32 and 33.

Referring now to Figure 3, it will be observed that the contact mechanisms previously described, are enclosed by a glass cover 44, which is secured to end plate M by means of screws 45. Thus, all of the working parts are carried by the end plate l4 as a separable unit; which parts are further protected by the glass cover 44. Accordingly, the glass cover provides for a thorough inspection of the parts under operating conditions, and adequate protection for the same, when the end plate [4 is removed from the support casing in.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be observed that flexible connecting wires extend from beneath the glass cover 44 and terminate at terminals 36 and 31 of terminal block 38. While not illus trated in detail, it is to be understood that these connecting wires pass through suitable conduits in end plate 14 into the interior of the glass cover 44 and connect contacts 32 and 33. In this respect one. connecting Wire is connected to terminal 32 at the rear of base 25 through the medium of terminal nut 32a, while the other connecting wire passes through hole 250 in base 25, and is connected to the conducting flexible member 34 by means of screw 35. Accordingly, it is to be understood that lever 3|, flexible member 34 and screw 35 are metallic, and not insulated one from the other, therefore, no difference in potential is encountered therebetween at any stage of their operation.

In Figures 1 and 3, it will be observed that the terminal 38 is secured to a raised lateral web connecting the longitudinal walls of the casing ID by means of screws 39 thereby providing a chamber 4| in the forward end of the casing. It will be further observed that a hole 40 is provided in the base of casing Ill within chamber 4 This construction provides for the admission of the external cables through hole 40, and the sealing of same by filling chamber 4| with a sealing compound after the cables have been connected to terminals 36 and 31.

Observing Figure 4, it will be assumed that the arm 2| projects to the left of base 25. Therefore, downward movement of rail 24 rotates shaft IS in the counter clockwise direction, and, through the medium of the friction clutch composed of disc 20 and friction disc 26 lodged in the annular recess of base 25, base 25 similarly rotates in the counter-clockwise. direction. Counter-clockwise rotation of base 25, through the medium of drive pin 2519, provides clockwise rotation of lever 3| around stop pin 28. Obviously counter-clockwise rotation of base 25 provides counter-clockwise rotation of contact 32. Therefore, the aforesaid downward movement of rail 24 provides counter-clockwise rotation of contact 32 about shaft l9, and clockwise rotation of contact 53 about stop pin 28. Thus, the contacts32 and 33 are engaged by moving each one toward the other. Accordingly, from the aforesaid description, the arm projecting to the left of base 25 in Figure 4, corresponds with the showing of the arm in Figures 1, 2 and 3, under which conditions the contacts are normally open, and closed by the downward movement of the rail.

For the purpose of illustration, it will be assumed that the ratio of the various lever arms provides a complete movement of base 25 with a downward movement of the rail 24. Obviously. the downward movement of the rail is normally greatly in excess of when a train passes thereover. Thus, the first downward movement of the rail provides the complete counter-clockwise rotation of base 25 and corresponding operation of the contacts. At this point base 25 will assume the dotted position of Figure 4, which is the equivalent of the. solid line position of Figure 5. Accordingly, further counter-clockwise rotation of base 25 is prevented by means of the relation between stop pin 28 and hole 30 illustrated in Figure 5. However, further downward movement of the rail 24 provides further counter-clockwise rotation of shaft l9 and disc 20, under which conditions the disc 28 merely slips on the friction disc 26, as aforesaid. When the train passes beyond, the rail 24 moves upwardly, and assumes a position practically corresponding with its previous normal position prior to the train passing thereover. Thus, the first upward movement of the rail provides a complete clockwise rotation of base 25 and corresponding operation of the contacts. At this point base 25 assumes the dotted position of Figure 5, which is the equivalent of the solid line positions of Figure 4. Accordingly, further clockwise rotation of base 25 is prevented by means of the relation between stop pin 28 and hole 30 illustrated in Figure 4. However, further upward movement of the rail 24 provides further clockwise rotation of shaft l9 and disc 20, under which conditions the disc 20 merely slips on the friction disc 26, as aforesaid.

From the foregoing it is clear that after a certain amount of rotation of base 25, additional rotation of shaft I9 is accommodated by allowing disc 20 to slip on friction disc 26. Obviously, therefore, the construction allows the arm 2| to be rotated from one side of the instrument case to the other.

In. the preceding illustration the arm 2| was assumed projecting to the left of base 25 in Figure 4, under which conditions a downward movement of the rail closed contacts 32 and 33. It was further illustrated that, under this assumption the contacts illustrated their respective positions while no train was passing thereover. Likewise, Figure illustrated the contacts in their respective positions while a train was passing thereover.

It will now be assumed that the arm 2| is rotated 180 degrees so as to project to the right of base 25 in Figures 4 and 5. Obviously, this reverses the conditions encountered when the arm projected to the left, as assumed supra. Thus, with the arm 2| projecting to the right of base 25, Figure. 4 illustrates the conditions of the parts while a train is passing over the rail, while Figure 5 illustrates the corresponding conditions after the train has passed beyond.

Accordingly, when the arm projects to the right of base 25, which is reverse to that illustrated in solid lines in Figures 1 and 2, the contacts are normally closed and disengaged by the downward movement of the rail by moving each contact away from the other. In Figure 2 the reverse or normally closed" position for arm 2| is illustrated in dotted lines.

Accordingly, it has been shown that, by rotating the arm 2| through 180 degrees, the instrument is converted from a normally closed to a normally open, or vice versa. Therefore, a single pair of contacts are susceptible of controlling a closed or open circuit without altering or changing the internal construction. or adjustments of the mechanism parts.

From the foregoing description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is apparent that I have provided a track instrument having a contact mechanism operated by a portion of the vertical movement of the rail, wherein the movement in excess of the required portion is accommodated by allowing such excess movement to slip a friction clutch, and establish an immediate operating condition to provide for the proper operation. of the contacts immediately upon reversal of the rail movement. Thus, variations in relative rail positions due to thawing, freezing, etc., is analogous toexcess rail movement, and, accordingly, operation of the instrument under various changes in rail positions, automatically establishes the required operating relation between thecontact mechanism and rail arm by reason of the particular organization of the friction clutch and novel arrangement of the contact mechanism. Furthermore, it is obvious that the construction and arrangement of the track instrument, allows for lateral and horizontal displacement of the rail as well as the aforesaid vertical change without affecting, in any manner, the proper operation of the instrument.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A switch instrument comprising, a stationary support (W, M); a rotatable means (|922) mounted on said support; a base (25) mounted on said means and rotatable therewith; a contact (32) fixed to said base at one side of the axis of rotation of said base; said base having an aperture (25a) therein at the opposite side of the said axis of rotation; a stationary member (28) fixed to said support and projected through said aperture; an arm (3|) pivotally attached to said member, and carrying a contact (33) for engaging said fixed contact (32); a pin (25b) fixed to said base, and operatively associated with said arm between, the pivot thereof and said axis of rotation, whereby rotation of said base in one or the opposite direction, moves said fixed contact and arm-carried contact toward or away from each other, respectively.

2. A switch instrument comprising, a stationary member (l0, M); a rotatable means (l9--22) mounted on said member; a base (25) mounted on said means and rotatable therewith; a contact (32) fixed to said base at one side of the axis of rotation of said base; an arm (3|) pivotally attached to the said member at the opposite side of said axis of rotation, and carrying a contact 33) for engaging said fixed contact (32) a pin (25b) fixed to said base, and operatively associated with said arm between the pivot thereof and said axis of rotation, whereby rotation of said base in one or the opposite direction moves said fixed contact and arm-carried contact toward or away from each other, respectively.

3. A switch instrument comprising, a stationary member ([0, I4); a rotatable means (19-22) mounted on said member; a base (25) mounted on said means and rotatable therewith; a contact (32) fixed to said base at one side of the axis of rotation of said base; an arm (3|) pivotally attached to the said member at the opposite side of said axis of rotation, and carrying a contact (33) for engaging said fix'ed contact (32) a pin, (25b) fixed to said base, and operatively associated with said arm between the pivot thereof and said axis of rotation, whereby rotation of said base in one or the opposite direction moves said fixed contact and arm-carried contact toward or away from each other, respectively; and means (28), carried by the said stationary member (ID) and engaged by the said base (25), for limiting the rotation of said base in either direction.

4. A switch instrument comprising, a stationary frame; an element movably mounted on said frame; means for moving the said element; a contact fixed to said movable element; a eo-acting contact movably mounted on said frame for electrically engaging said fixed contact; and means, cperatively connecting said co-acting contact to said movable element, for moving the said co-acting contact into or out of electrical engagement with the said fixed contact, when the said movable element is moved in one or the opposite direction, respectively.

5. A switch instrument comprising, a stationary frame; a member rotatably mounted on said frame; means for rotating the said member; a contact fixed to said member; an arm rotatably mounted on said frame and carrying a contact for electrically engaging said fixed contact; and means, operatively connecting said arm to said member, for rotating said arm in a direction reverse to the direction of rotation of said memoer so as to move said contacts into or out of electrical engagement, when the said member is rotated in one or the opposite direction, respectively.

6. A switch instrument comprising, a stationary frame; a member rotatably mounted on said frame; means for rotating the said member; a contact fixed to said member; a co-acting contact rotatably mounted on said frame for electrically engaging said fixed contact; and means, operatively connecting said co-acting contact to said member, for rotating said co-acting contact in a direction reverse to the direction of rotation of the said member so as to move the said co-acting contact into or out of electrical engagement with the said fixed contact, when the said member is rotated in one or the opposite direction, respectively.

'7. A switch instrument comprising, a stationary frame; a member rotatably mounted on said frame; means for rotating the said member; an arm rotatably mounted on said frame; a contact fixed to said member and a contact fixed to said arm for electrically engaging the first mentioned contact; and means, operatively connecting said arm to said member, for rotating said arm in a direction reverse to the direction of rotation of the said member so as to electrically engage or disengage said contacts, when the said member is rotated in one or the opposite direction, respectively.

8. A switch instrument comprising, a stationary frame; a member movably mounted on said frame; means for moving the said member; an arm movably mounted on said frame; an electrical switch operatively associated with the said member and said arm; and means, operatively connecting said arm to said member, for moving said arm in a direction reverse to the direction of movement of said member, when the said member is moved in one or the opposite direction, thereby opening or closing the said electrical switch, respectively.

9. A switch instrument comprising a stationary frame; a contact member movably mounted on said frame; means for moving said member; a second contact member movably mounted on said frame for electrically engaging the first mentioned contact member; and means, operatively connecting the said second movable contact member to the said first mentioned movable contact member, for moving the said second movable contact member into or out of electrical engagement with the said first mentioned contact member, when the said first mentioned contact member is moved in one or the opposite direction, respectively.

10. A switch instrument comprising, a stationary frame; an actuating member movably mounted on said frame; means for moving the said member; an actuated member movably mounted on the said frame; a contact fixed to the said actuating member, and a contact fixed to the said actuated member for electrically engaging the first mentioned contact; and means, operatively connecting the said actuated member to the said actuating member, for moving the said actuated member in a direction reverse to the direction of movement of the said actuating member, when the said actuating member is moved in one or the opposite direction, thereby moving the said contacts into or out of electrical engagement, respectively.

11. A switch instrument comprising, a stationary frame; an actuating member rotatably mounted on said frame; means for rotating said actuating member; a contact mounted on said member and rotatable therewith; a second contact rotatably mounted on said frame for electrically engaging the first mentioned contact; and means, operatively connecting the said second contact to the said actuating member, for rotating the said second contact toward the first mentioned contact and into electrical connection therewith, when the said actuating member is rotated in one direction, and for rotating the said second contact away from the said first mentioned contact and into electrical disconnection, when the said actuating member is rotatedin an opposite direction.

12. A switch instrument comprising, a stationary frame; a base rotatably mounted on said frame; means for rotating said base; a rigid contact fixed to said base at one side of the axis of rotation of said base; said base having an aperture therein at the opposite side of the said axis of rotation; a stationary member fixed to said support and projected through said aperture for limiting the rotation of said base; an arm rotatably mounted on said member; a second contact flexibly mounted on the said arm for engaging the said rigid contact, the said second contact being rotatable with said arm; and a pin fixed to said base, and operatively associated with the said arm between the pivot thereof and the axis of rotation of said base, for rotating the said flexible contact and said rigid contact toward or away from each other, when the said base is rotated in one or the opposite direction, respectively.

13. A switch instrument comprising, a station ary support; a base rotatably mounted on said support; means for rotating said base; a contact fixed to said base at one side of the axis of rotation of said base; an arm rotatably mounted on said support at the opposite side of the axis of rotation of said base; a contact fixed to said arm for engaging the first mentioned contact; a pin fixed to said base between the axis of rotation of said base and the axis of rotation of said arm, said pin being operatively associated with said arm, for moving the said arm-carried contact into engagement with the said base carried contact, when the base is moved in one direction, and into disengagement, when the base is rotated in the opposite direction.

14. A switch instrument comprising, a stationary frame; a member movably mounted on said frame; means for moving the said member; an element rotatably mounted on said frame; means, operatively connecting the said element to said member, for rotating the said element in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the said member; and electrical contacts operatively associated with the said element and said member so as to be opened or closed, when the said member is moved in one or the opposite direction, respectively.

15. A switch instrument comprising a stationary support (l0, l4) amember I 922) rotatably mounted on said support; means for rotating the said member; a base mounted on said member and rotatable therewith; a contact (32) fixed to said base at one side of the axis of rotation of said base; said base having an aperture (25a) therein at the opposite side of the said axis of rotation; a stationary member (28) fixed to said support and projected through said aperture for limiting the rotation of said base; an arm (3|) pivotally attached to said stationary member, and carrying a contact (33) for engaging said fixed contact (32); and a pin (25b) fixed to said base between the said axis of rotation and the aperture in the said base and operatively associated with the said arm, for moving the contacts into or out of engagement, when the first mentioned member is rotated in one or the opposite direction, respectively.

FRANK H. RICH'IERKESSING. 

